August is Membership Month in the Rotary World. So this month we focus not only in improving the quantity of our membership but also its quality. Last week we added two members to our roster, Alex Boado, Manager of Security Bank, SFU branch, and Rick Marquez, Area Manager of Johntann International Pharma. The quality of these two new recruits was assured by giving every  member a 'say' in their acceptance into the club. This process presumably would weed out prospects with hidden unsavory activities like drug pushing, swindling and the like. On the other hand, our members are also expected to be true Rotarians in evaluating the prospects, practicing the four-way test and rising above petty considerations.

Greetings to our guest speaker, Dr. Ralph Asuncion, a fellow physician who is a respected specialist in EENT. However, we did not invite Dr. Asuncion to speak on this professional work but rather to talk to us about his organization- the Freemasonry Brotherhood- which lately has again been involved in controversy with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Perhaps, a lot of this has to do with misunderstanding and also because the Masonry Movement has previously insisted on being very secretive. Being a 'Secret Organization' has its advantages and disadvantages. A plus point is that secrecy creates a certain 'mystique' which makes organizations and persons 'attractive' or at least people become very curious and interested in them.  On the negative side, people may begin to speculate the worst. Masonry has been considered a pseudo-religion which competes with established 'faiths'. Others even believe that it is a cult with 'satanic' undertones. Well, let's listen and learn while our Guest Speaker presents the side of the Freemasons. As the saying goes, " the wise man learns from his setbacks but the wiser man learns from the successes and setbacks of others. "

Let me end by thanking all those who participated in two recent projects of our club. Thanks to IPP Albert Dy, Directors Jerry Parlan, Jun Tio, Secretary Diego Ledda and the other officers and members, Frank Buenaventura, Arnel Chanpinco and Romy Chan and also the Inner Wheel Club  Members who accompanied me during the Nutrition Month Activities of  our Adopted Schools in Bgy. Tanqui. Thanks again to IPP Albert, Directors Jerry, Jun, Rex Mendoza and Richard Dy, other officers and members, Romy, Arnel, Raymund Espinosa and Arnold Ignacio,  the Inner Wheel Club Members, the Lorma and ITRMC physicians, the L.U. Dental Society and the La Union Medical and Diagnostic Center, for the success of our Balik Sibuan-Otong Mission. VP Tante Licudine was not around but his Ann Arlene along with her staff and students of the Lorma Medical Technology College, took care of the blood typing and urinalysis. Thanks a million to everyone.   

Date & Place of Birth : April 21, 1954, Bonfal, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Status                         : Married with 4 children

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT:
College:  Far Eastern University
                 Bachelor of Science, Major in Zoology (1974)
                 Doctor of Medicine (1978)

POST GRADUATE TRAINING:

1. Post Graduate Internship - Baguio General Hospital & Medical Center
   

1. Passed - Medical Board Examination (Top Ten) - 1979
   
2. Passed - Qualifying Examination for Medical Specialist (EENT), Dept. of
   

1. Department Head (OIC) Dept. of Opthalmology, ITRMC
   
2. Medical Specialist III (Dept. of Health)
   
3. EENT Consultant, Bethany Hospital, Lorma Medical Center, La Union Medical                     & Diagnostic Center
   
4. Life Member, Philippine Medical Association
   
5. Member, La Union Medical Society
   
6. Diplomate, Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology
   
7. Vice-President, Northwestern Luzon Chapter, Phil. Academy of Ophthalmology
   
8. Fellow, Philippine College of Surgeons
   
9. Fellow, International College of Surgeons
   
10. President, San Fernando City Lions Club
    
11. Past Master, Union Lodge No. 70, Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Phils.
    
12. Venerable Master, La Union Bodies Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
    
13. District Grand Lecturer, Masonic District NO. 41, Grand Lodge of the Phils.
    
14. Member, Pilipinas Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch. Masons (York Rite)
    
15. Member, National Range Officer Institute
    
16. Member, Philippine Practical Shooting Association
    
17. Member, La Union Practical Shooting Association
    
18. Member, Knights of Rizal, Metro San Fernando City Chapter